~ Daily Living in a New World ~

Healthy Living Newsletter ~ August 2012

~ Monthly Newsletter ~

August 2012

Healthy Living & Daily Practice

~ Spiritual Maturity ~

August is the month during which nature celebrates her maturity. The hatchlings in the nest have found the wings to fly, and the boughs of the old apple tree are heavy with fruit. The Godseed within our hearts is also ripening, so that we become more flexible, more tolerant of the shades of gray that characterize life on planet earth. Every interaction becomes an opportunity to encourage us to be kind as we acknowledge the Godseed within us all. As the pumpkins ripen on the vine,mellowing in the shortening days and colder nights, the vine itself begins the drying time. It’s purpose is complete.

August reminds us of the impermanence of all things. All that seems so dependable will someday pass away. In that poignant knowledge we mature into a deeper appreciation of all we have, of all we love.

We begin August with a Full Moon in Aquarius, this is a time of endings and new beginnings. As we move forward on our journey, it reflects the cutting edge in the situation, the learning curve whereby you can turn adversity into accomplishment — using creativity and a positive attitude.

The Full Moon brings sweeping shifts of consciousness. As an exercise, spend some time actually sweeping — this is symbolically a way to clear the cobwebs of the mind. Get the air moving, let go of habits of thought that keep you in a stale loop. Now is the time for altered states — originality, free thinking, even shades of genius.

There can be many external pressures, but here, it’s a demand to remove inner barriers to full self-expression. It’s very personal, since only you know the very unique plot and inklings you’ve had, signs from the universe. And yet, your story is part of the whole — a grand design that Aquarius sees with startling clarity. Even if we’re alone on a mountaintop — and Aquarius has its loner side — we could sense the bigger matrix of which we’re a part.

It can be a boost to the sense of mission, and also make each of us feel like we’re making a contribution. It’s the fire of the passionate mind that’s catching on. A vision can be firmed up at this Full Moon, bringing on confidence.

Since the Moon is Full in Aquarius, we meet the cheerleader Leo Sun across the way. It alerts us to that truism that a way to the universal is through the personal. By expressing proudly who we are, and exploring our talents, passions, loves — we gift that to the whole.

Courage to Look Beyond

In many ways, we’re losing our bearings. We are letting go of the shore like the Hopi prophecy tells us, and must go on trust that the river has a destination. And being set adrift, we can find another kind of order in synchronicity, messages of guidance.

This Full Moon is like the preview of another way to live. Aquarius is the one plugged in to the cosmos, and at this lunar peak, we can too. Watch for strange, trippy, genius ideas, or random encounters with people that electrify your creative dreams.

What we call the universe — the reality around us — is always engaging with us, sending messages. We can get crystal clear impressions, about how to make the most of our unique shine (frequency). One suggestion, which I’ll be doing, is to ask for vivid guidance (Sun’s in Leo after all) — in dreams, synchronicity and what pops in your head.

Bust out of what you think you know — be open to mind blowing shifts in perspective.

Celebrate your uniqueness, encourage others to do the same.

Be a voice for the voiceless.

Paint, draw, act, sing your visions for humanity and all living things.

Shake off limiting perspectives, and celebrate your freedom.

Using technology to make heart connections, and organize around your ideals.

~ Happiness ~

Happiness is not something you find, it’s something you create.

Wisdom of the Body

Our body is our most reliable guide to happiness. Whereas the mind lives in the past and the future, the body resides in the now and never doubts itself. It knows the truth and will guide you toward the most evolutionary choices. As modern dance pioneer Martha Graham once said, “The body never lies . . . it says what words cannot.”

By listening to your body’s signals, you can gather valuable clues that will guide you to greater happiness. Developing awareness is key because so many of us were taught to ignore our body as we were growing up. We may have received the message that our mind was the most valuable part of ourselves. If you have been living “from the neck up,” re-discovering the wisdom of the body will be particularly rich and rewarding.

Exercise: Get Grounded

One powerful way to expand your awareness is to ground yourself in your body. Whenever you feel distracted or triggered by a situation or event, tune into the feelings in your body. For instance, if you receive an unexpected bill and your normal reaction would be to feel angry or anxious, try this simple yoga pose known as Tadasana or Standing Mountain

Mountain Pose

Tadasana

Tadasana

(tah-DAHS-anna)tada = mountain

Step by Step

Stand with the bases of your big toes touching, heels slightly apart (so that your second toes are parallel). Lift and spread your toes and the balls of your feet, then lay them softly down on the floor. Rock back and forth and side to side. Gradually reduce this swaying to a standstill, with your weight balanced evenly on the feet.

Firm your thigh muscles and lift the knee caps, without hardening your lower belly. Lift the inner ankles to strengthen the inner arches, then imagine a line of energy all the way up along your inner thighs to your groins, and from there through the core of your torso, neck, and head, and out through the crown of your head. Turn the upper thighs slightly inward. Lengthen your tailbone toward the floor and lift the pubis toward the navel.

Press your shoulder blades into your back, then widen them across and release them down your back. Without pushing your lower front ribs forward, lift the top of your sternum straight toward the ceiling. Widen your collarbones. Hang your arms beside the torso.

Balance the crown of your head directly over the center of your pelvis, with the underside of your chin parallel to the floor, throat soft, and the tongue wide and flat on the floor of your mouth. Soften your eyes.

Tadasana is usually the starting position for all the standing poses. But it’s useful to practice Tadasana as a pose in itself. Stay in the pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute, breathing easily.

*Note: If a standing position isn’t available to you, you can receive the same grounding benefits of mountain pose by performing a modified version of it in a chair. Root your feet on the ground and stretch your arms upwards and then lower them to your sides. Close your eyes and follow the rest of the instructions for focusing on feeling the sensations in your body.

~ Intention ~

An intention is a choice to move in a particular direction. We’ll focus on three practical intentions for creating increased awareness of your body.

1. I make choices to maximize the energy in my body.
Your body is your connection to the infinite supply of energy in the universe. If you’re feeling any kind of lack, it is because you’re resisting the flow of this infinite supply. Ask your body what it needs and follow its guidance.

2. Before I act on any emotion, I will consult my heart.
Your heart is the seat of emotional intelligence and it is a reliable guide when you trust it. Tune into your heart throughout the day, particularly when you have a decision to make. Put your hand on your heart and pay attention to any subtle sensations or feelings that signal a “yes” or a “no.”

3. Lightness of being in my body will be my indicator of happiness. Begin to pay attention to the sensations in your body. If you feel heavy or dull, make shifts, no matter how small, to let go of old patterns so that you can open to the freshness and pure potential each moment holds. Give your body what it needs the most, whether that is more restful sleep, life-giving nourishment, the joy of movement, or communion with nature.

At the beginning and end of each day, read these intentions and let the words sink deep into your consciousness. As you move throughout your day, pay attention to your body and, as best you can, tune into its messages and act on its guidance.

~ Meditation ~

As we all go forward on our own journey it is important to remember, we are not here to save anyone. We cannot stop world hunger, or take away someone’s pain. We are here to align ourselves with our own true God. Where does he live, you ask. This is a simple question and answer, He Lives Within. You are the only one who answers to your true heart calling.

This month lets take the time to review our emotional state. As we begin to find our quiet center, we can go deeper into our true calling in life, so that we can find peace of mind. Wherever we find Love, is where we find our true calling. It could be just being happy staying home with our children, caring for pets or sending messages of Love and Hope as I do. When something brings you joy, without the need to be rewarded…..You Know, You are on the Right Path.

But, what happens when you feel pain, suffering and blocks? Recently, I experienced an event, that made me stop and re – access my own life. I had to ask some hard questions about ME! I watched a series on PBS called “This Emotional Life”. This series gave me an understanding of my own emotions from a scientific and spiritual aspect along with the tools to help me understand my own emotions of fear, pain, anger, love, compassion. The one thing I learned, was that we all need to connect with ourselves and others to have a fulfilling life.

So to continue with our theme this month of Spiritual Maturity, this article really hit home. A way to go deep in my mediation and ask some hard questions. Take a little time to review, but be gentle with your self……Be Forgiving of yourself and others, we are all growing, sharing and learning together to make the world a better place.

Glamour is essentially emotion driven desire colorizing itself on an illusory screen through the lens of the conditioned human personality. These illusory forms enliven our lives, sometimes with ecstatic sensations, however, produce limiting consciousness patterns which outplay in fantasized realities, false values, misleading desires, distorted perceptions and many needless necessities. Some of the most tenacious glamours are so deeply embedded that they are not even recognized or thought of as hindrances to greater revelations in consciousness.

The condition of glamour is an inherent component of our make-up stemming from ancient astral patterns and age-long personality desires. There are an infinite number of ways that emotions can be glamorized. These false formations can always be found where there is any degree of criticism, pride, emotional attachment, behaviors of separatism and a sense of superiority.

The Glamour of Self Identity
This is the major trigger for all other glamours and which creates the greatest separation between self and other, between the human and the divine. This is attachment to the formed human expression including its physical form, the bodily appearance, a held image, to emoting response and with attachment to roles. The emotion of personal identity creates unending desires, cravings, fear, doubt, neurotic thought and a continuous wheel of large and small sufferings in all areas of life.

The Glamour of Power
This glamour is often unselfishly created during a time when one feels to be in great spiritual alignment while experiencing great openings and new abilities. There is emotional attachment to the sense of power that develops. There is then a growing tendency to call attention to ourselves, to the mission that we are carrying out, to the confidence that the Masters have in us, that our view is the best view.

The Glamour of Materiality
This is the attachment of emotion to outer forms and false appearances which creates desire for needless material possessions. It is the false perception of values which ignores true spiritual principles and our forward movement into selflessness as a group consciousness. The present world economic situation is a result of this particular glamour in which we all have contributed.

The Glamour of Devotion
This is one of the strongest glamours in the spiritually focused due to deep devotion and dedication to the spiritual path. The high level of devotion can innocently result in the formation of personal desires and glamorized ideals. There is great emotional attachment to a teaching, a concept, a vision, a view, a teacher, a Master, healing something, assisting the Earth, etc.. The glamour restricts the more expanded vision while closing us into a box of fantasy, personality longings, a long list of desires and to do’s. While immersed in this glamour, it is impossible for divine messaging to be correctly interpreted or even to enter.

The Glamour of Psychic Perception
As a result of the quickening of planetary energies, many people are opening into the realm of extra sensory perception. This provides easier access into the colorful and inviting realm of the psychic world and the illusory astral plane. One thinks the incoming visions and messages are divine truth when, in fact, they are clothed with distortion. This occurs due to spiritual pride, zealous ambition and emoting attachment to the self identity and its abilities.

The Glamour of the Spiritual Path
The Glamour of Destiny
As a result of emotional attachment to one’s Path, this glamour produces high aspirations but limiting vision, selfish interpretations and self centeredness due to the individualized focus versus true realization of group consciousness. This is also the attachment of emotion towards the belief that we have important work to do in the world, that we are special, the Christed ones, ascension’s “first wavers”, starseeds, etc.. There is much preoccupation with identity and an overemphasis of spiritual ambition. Fantasized realities can also result.

The Glamour of Sentimentality
This is the desire to emotionally be or react in a certain way. This is overemphasis of emotion placed upon a needed response from another in order to satisfy a desired level of personal comfort. This glamour attaches to the personalities of others. There is emotional reaction to another’s emotional response. It is also the strong emotional desire to love and to be loved on the human level. (Definitely a most challenging one to overcome in the process of personality-Soul fusion.)

The Glamour of Speculative Belief
This is the formation of held concepts, beliefs and resulting emotional patterns based upon the attachment to information that is not derived from one’s own illuminated consciousness. The glamour produces conditioned belief through the blind acceptance of information from someone else’s principles, theories and assumptions or from messaging that is based on a guess, a possibility, a potential, a prophecy or ancient claim, etc.

The Glamour of the Messiah Complex
This is attaching emotion to the role of being a savior and the illusion of having to take on the suffering for others. This is a very common glamour experienced by teachers and healers.

The Glamour of Self Importance
This glamour produces an overemphasis towards a sense of duty or responsibility. There is hurriedness, impatience and always something to do, create, plan. Self centered tendencies create continuous desires to share the opinion, the experience, the creativity, the message. There is much self reference and talk, “my project”, “my vision”, “my view”, “my experience”.

8 Foods for Gorgeous Skin

While genetics and lifestyle habits play a significant role in skin health, the right foods can also help you fight acne, minimize wrinkles, and enhance your skin’s natural beauty.

Tropical Fruit
Eating guava, pineapple, papaya, kiwi, and other tropical fruits that contain vitamin C will help defend your skin against damaging free radicals. Vitamin C is a powerful antioxidant that is naturally found in the skin, so eating tropical fruits and other vitamin C–rich foods can replenish your skin’s stores. Vitamin C also helps your body produce collagen, a protein that helps keep your skin firm and elastic.

Broccoli
This cruciferous veggie is high in antioxidants, including vitamins C and E. The vitamin C in broccoli aids in collagen production and keeps your skin healthy and supple, while vitamin E protects your skin cell membranes and guards against UV radiation damage.

Almonds
These nuts are one of the best food sources of vitamin E. Eat whole almonds as a snack or add sliced almonds to salads, cereal, yogurt, stir–fry or baked goods. You can also toast almond slivers and serve them on top of fish, chicken, or even rice or pasta dishes. The vitamin E in almonds can help nourish your skin and protect it from the sun’s damaging UV rays. Just be sure to eat them in moderation, since almonds and other nuts are calorie–dense.

Whole Wheat Pastas and Breads
Another skin–friendly antioxidant is the mineral selenium, which is found in whole wheat pastas and breads. Selenium helps protect your skin against environmental damage and promotes elasticity and general skin health. High–dose selenium supplements have been linked to health problems, so it’s always best to get your selenium from delicious food sources.

Carrots
Crunch on carrots to keep your skin healthy and vibrant. Carrots are high in beta carotene, an antioxidant that is converted to vitamin A inside the body. It helps repair skin tissue and protects against the sun’s harsh rays. Enjoy carrots raw in salads or with a low–calorie dip, or try roasting them to develop a rich, sweet flavor. (Bonus! Cooked carrots deliver even more skin–friendly beta carotene than raw ones.)

Pumpkin Seeds
Pumpkin seeds are a skin superfood because they’re so high in zinc. Zinc protects your cell membranes, helps maintain collagen, and promotes skin renewal. Enjoy pumpkin seeds on their own as a snack, add them into a homemade trail mix, or sprinkle them on yogurt or oatmeal.

Fish
Salmon, herring, mackerel, sardines, anchovies, and rainbow trout all contain omega–3 fats, which help fortify skin cell membranes, protect against sun damage, and may also reduce the risk of certain forms of skin cancer. These healthy fats allow water and nutrients into the skin while keeping toxins out, and may also fight inflammation in the skin. Just don’t cancel out the benefits of eating fish by preparing it in unhealthy ways. Avoid deep–fried fish, and go for baked, grilled, roasted or poached instead!

Water
It’s not a “food,” per se, but water is crucial when it comes to skin health because it flushes toxins out of your body, delivers nutrients to your cells, and keeps your organs functioning. It also helps keep your cells plump and full, which makes your skin look firmer and clearer. To get more water in your daily diet, fill up a large reusable container with ice–cold water each morning, and keep drinking from it throughout the day. And drinking water isn’t the only way to keep your skin cells hydrated. Many fruits and veggies are more than 75 percent water (by weight), so they’re a terrific source of H2O, too.

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Global Light Minds is a Daily Online Magazine, intended for people who wish to enlightened their lives with true joy and happiness. Daily Inspirations and insightful articles on every topic of Universal Spirituality. Written by well known spiritual writers and philosophers around the world, vivid photos, travel destinations and messages of hope and love.